South America: countries and cities. South American countries and their capitals

Most Big city by population in the entire South American continent - São Paulo. The city is located in Brazil. The population is 11.25 million people. This metropolis is one of the 15 largest settlements in the world. Sao Paulo is the capital of the state of the same name and the business center of the entire mainland.

The capital of Peru is inferior to Sao Paulo in terms of citizens living in it. However, this city of 8.5 million people is the second most populous in all of South America. In the past, the city was the capital of the Spanish lands on the mainland. Lima is located on the coast Pacific Ocean.

Another capital of the state of South America in order to enter largest cities mainland. We are talking about the Colombian capital of Bogota, which is the third largest. The population of this metropolis is 7.6 million people. The city is located on the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera.

One of the most famous cities in Brazil is Rio de Janeiro. It occupies the fourth position with a population of 6.3 million people. The city is famous for its cultural and historical heritage, world-famous beaches, famous sports facilities (Maracana football stadium), majestic religious buildings.

The Chilean capital of Santiago ranks fifth among South American cities with the largest. The city is home to 5.3 million inhabitants. Santiago is located at the foot of the Andes and is one of the most densely populated in the entire South American continent.

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There are many ratings that indicate the most densely populated cities peace. Someone takes into account only the total population, someone looks at the density of accommodation. We have collected information about the most amazing cities where the population exceeds 10 million people.

Instruction

According to scientists at the beginning of 2014, Tokyo is considered the largest settlement in terms of the number of inhabitants. It is the capital of Japan, located on the island of Honshu. The number of people in the territory is 37,555,000 people. At the same time, the density per square kilometer is very high - 4400 people. Tokyo is not really a city, but a metropolitan area, consisting of several parts. Today, the Japanese government is creating artificial islands to increase the area of ​​the settlement, to improve living conditions.

Jakarta is the second largest year in the world. It is the capital of Indonesia, in which 29 million 959 thousand people live. The area of ​​this district is not large, so the population density is higher than in Tokyo. There are 9,900 people per square kilometer. This is the largest economic center, which over the past 50 years has increased its population by more than 17 times.

The third place is occupied by the capital of India - the city of Delhi. This is not the largest settlement in this state, in terms of area it is inferior to Mumbai, but in terms of the number of inhabitants it is much superior. More than 24 million people walk the streets of the Indian capital every day, and that's not counting the thousands of tourists who arrive every day to see the many historical monuments. The population density is 11,600 people per square kilometer.

The fourth place is occupied by the capital South Korea- City of Seoul. The total population is 22992 thousand people according to estimates for 2014. This is about half of the entire population of this state. There are 10,100 people per square kilometer. On a par with Seoul is Manila, its population is less than 200 thousand people. This is the capital of the Philippines, which over the past 15 years has increased its population by 10 million people. Today, 22,710 thousand people live in this district.

Do you know the most largest cities in South America by area? They extend for several thousand kilometers, occupying space on land and water. What is their peculiarity? Why are they so remarkable?

Antofagasta - more than 30,000 km2

Seaport and city in Chile. Despite such a large territory, only 410 thousand people live here. Why is that ?

Everything is simple. Most of the territory is "given" to the Atacama Desert, known as the most arid. The economic development of the region is based mainly on mining.

And the location in the middle of the desert allowed the city to get into largest cities in South America.

Koyaique - over 7000 km2

City located in Chile. The population here is slightly more than 50,000 thousand. The Spanish language dominates.

Macapa - more than 6500 km2

A hot city that receives 2571.5 mm of precipitation per year. wonderful natural and climatic conditions made Macapa a prosperous region. The nature here is truly amazing. And the population has long "passed" over 300,000.

Brasilia and its 5800 km2

The capital of Brazil is famous for its hot climate and abundance of rainfall. Unique natural conditions contributed to the diversity of flora and fauna. But due to active human activities, the country's forests are in great danger.

Latacunga with its 5600 km2

The city is located almost in the heart of South America. It is located in the central part of the "banana republic" of Ecuador and is ready to boast a population of just over 50,000 people. Most of them are native Indians.

The settlement is unique in that it is located next to the Cotopaha volcano. Only a well-trained person can stay in the city, because the settlement is located at an altitude of 2850 m above sea level.

Didn't make it to the list of "bolshuny" most Southern City South America - Ushuaia (Argentina). It is famous not only for its nature, but also for its unique natural characteristics. And very close, on the island of Navarino, lies the southernmost settlement of the planet - Puerto Toro (Chile).

South America- a separate continent-civilization, brought up by natural and landscape characteristics. Here was once the homeland of the Aztecs, who managed to create their own civilization and predict the future. The countries of the continent are a unique "scatter" and contrast in terms of economic development, industrialization and other characteristics. Travel and enjoy!

1. Sao Paulo

It is the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere in terms of population and Finance center Brazil. The city is located in the valley of the river Tiete. Its motto is: "I am not ruled, but I am ruled."
The population of Sao Paulo in 2011 is over 11 million people, together with the suburbs - about 20 million. The city is the most ethnically diverse locality Brazil. Over a hundred ethnic groups are represented here. Among them are the largest:
. 6 million Italians.
. 3 million Portuguese.
. 1 million Arabs.
. 400 thousand Germans.
. 326 thousand Japanese.
. 120 thousand Chinese.

2. Lima


Capital and The largest city Peru, Lima, is the main cultural, economic and political center of the state. Together with the suburbs, the population is over 9 million people. Among other South American capitals, Lima stands out for its rich diversity of racial and ethnic composition. Among them:
. 40% are white.
. 44% are mestizos.
. 8% are Asians.
. 5% - Indians.
. 3% are African Americans.

3. Bogotá


The capital of Colombia and its largest city, Bogota, has a population of 7.5 million people, together with the suburbs - 8.7 million, which is 1/6 of the population of all of Colombia. It is the most important political, cultural and economic center of the country. In addition, it is one of the most influential cities on the continent.
Colombia is a cosmopolitan city. In addition to Colombians, a large number of foreigners live here. Among the inhabitants in Bogota, mestizos predominate. A smaller part are the descendants of Europeans, as well as mulattoes, blacks and purebred Indians. Thus, approximately 3/4 of the population of Bogota are of mixed blood.

4. Rio de Janeiro

The population of one of the largest cities in Brazil and an important tourist center of the world, Rio, is more than 6.3 million people, together with the suburbs - 11.8 million. The city is famous for its attractions: the grandiose statue of Christ the Redeemer, the legendary Copacabana beach and the symbol of the city - the Sugar Loaf. In addition, Rio is famous for its annual Carnival.
The racial composition of Rio:
. About 54% are white.
. About 34% are colored.
. 12.3% are black.
. 0.5% - Asians and Indians.

5. Santiago


The capital of Chile, Santiago, is located in the central valley of the state at the foot of the majestic Andes. Its area is approximately 600 sq. km. The area of ​​the entire metropolitan area is over 2 thousand sq. km. The population of Santiago is about 5.5 million people, together with the suburbs - 6.4 million. This makes the Chilean capital the fifth largest settlement in South America in terms of the number of inhabitants.

More than 7 thousand km long and about 5 thousand wide, it has a total area of ​​17,800 square kilometers. The map of South America clearly shows us that it did not fit entirely in this continent, part of it is located in the North. The population of the mainland is more than 385 million people. The cities of South America are delightful, they stun with the fusion of completely different, seemingly incompatible cultures: ancient and modern, European and Indian, and skyscrapers.

Characteristics

South America is a huge, completely unexplored world, extremely bright and extremely interesting. Imagination is struck primarily by the diversity of landscapes. The Andes (the ridge of South America and the longest mountain range in the world at 9,000 km) have not yet calmed down: earthquakes and volcanic eruptions often occur here. The famous impenetrable swampy jungle in its selva spread its tributaries - the lungs of our planet. And nearby is one of the driest places on Earth - the Chilean deserts, the Argentinean and Uruguayan steppes - hot, waterless, dusty. And nearby are huge lakes, the highest waterfalls and vast islands full of rocks. In the north - the almost hot Caribbean Sea, in the south - Tierra del Fuego and the cold storms of the Atlantic, the proximity of Antarctica with its penguins and icebergs. South America is so diverse that anyone can be interested, everyone will discover this continent.

Brazil

It is the largest state in terms of area and population. The capital is Brasilia. The most vibrant city is Rio de Janeiro, full of tourists, carnivals and first-class beaches.

Argentina

It's also a big country. The capital is Buenos Aires, the city of the famous carnival (January 16), and for many inhabitants of the planet - the most beautiful in the world.

Bolivia

The government of this "middle" state prefers the city of La Paz, but Sucre is listed as the capital. La Paz is very beautiful.

Venezuela

This is the place where South America ends, its north, warm climes. The capital of the country is Caracas, located on the coast caribbean, and on its outskirts begins the National Park with delightfully virgin tropical nature.

Guyana

Northeast coast, capital - Georgetown. Country of wet jungle - up to 90% of the territory is occupied by them.

Guiana

Although this is South America, but here the French overseas region is not allowed without a visa. The administrative center is the city of Cayenne.

Colombia

Northwest, capital - Bogota. The country is named after Columbus. There are many museums showing the richest historical and cultural heritage, as well as an extremely interesting fusion of two cultures - European and Indian.

Paraguay

The capital is Asuncion, a beautiful and original city, with many architectural monuments.

Peru

Andes west coast, the state is still not unraveled by the Incas. Capital - Lima, amazing beautiful city on the high shore of the ocean.

Suriname

Tropical country in the northeast of the mainland. Paramaribo is its capital, a city without skyscrapers, original, retaining style.

Uruguay

This is the southeast of the continent. The capital - Montevideo - was glorified by the carnival, known no less than the Argentinean. Colonial architecture is not offended by eclecticism.

Chile

A long strip along the Pacific coast, breathtaking and As the poet said: "There is no country more beautiful than Chile." The capital is Santiago, a city famous for coups, balneological tourism and beautiful views of the highlands.

Ecuador

An equatorial country in the northwest where the most important monuments of ancient culture, museums of the colonial and pre-colonial eras are concentrated.

South America is the fourth largest continent belonging to the group of southern continents: the map shows that most of it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, and only a small region of it is in the Northern Hemisphere. On a total area of ​​17,800 sq. km there are 12 countries of South America, as well as 3 independent territories, and each of the countries has its own state language, flag, currency, culture and customs. Let us consider in more detail which states are part of South America.

general characteristics

South America is characterized by an amazing diversity and indescribable flavor of absolutely all countries located on the continent.

Before the conquest of the mainland in the 16th century by the Spanish conquerors, Indians lived here. After a while, the Portuguese and Spaniards brought Africans to the continent as a labor force. Subsequently, many regions of South America were settled by immigrants from Western and of Eastern Europe. Despite the great differences in culture, religion and the general way of life, different peoples live surprisingly calmly on a common territory, without serious conflicts.

Rice. 1. The population of South America

On a racial basis, the entire population of the mainland can be divided into three main types:

• Indians;
• Europeans;
• black people.

In Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay and Ecuador, the local population is mostly represented by mestizos - descendants of Indians and Europeans. In Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, there are quite a lot of representatives of the Negroid race, and in Chile, Uruguay and Argentina - the advantage is for the Europeans. And only in Peru and Bolivia do indigenous peoples of South America form the majority.

The most widely spoken languages ​​are Spanish and Portuguese. However, the population of South America is so diverse and many-sided that one can hear English, French, German, Italian speech here - these foreign languages ​​are the most popular and they are taught at school. Russian is spoken only by tourists and immigrants from the countries of the former Soviet Union. Often on the streets you can hear the colorful speech of the native Indians: Aymara, Quechua, Guara, Araucan.

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Rice. 2. South America on the map

Table “List of South American countries and their capitals”

Brief overview of the countries of South America

Each country of the continent has its own characteristics.

• Brazil It is the largest country in terms of area and population. Known throughout the world for its first-class beaches and carnivals in Rio de Janeiro.

Rice. 3. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

• Argentina - notable for its capital Buenos Aires, which annually hosts the famous carnival procession.
• Bolivia - Sucre is officially considered the capital of the country, but the local government prefers the largest and most beautiful city in Bolivia - La Paz.
• Venezuela - a country in which the north comes into its possession. On the outskirts of Caracas is located national park with untouched tropical nature.
• Guyana - This is a country of constantly wet jungle. Up to 90% of the territory of Guyana is occupied by dense forests.
• Guiana – despite the fact that this is the territory of South America, however, without a visa to this french region impossible to get in.
• Colombia - is distinguished by a large number of museums, which contain the richest cultural and historical heritage. This country is a symbiosis of two cultures - Indian and European.
• Paraguay - a country that does not have its own access to the sea. In the capital - Asuncion - there are many original architectural monuments.
• Peru - a mountainous country located in the Andes of the west coast. She is full of mysteries and amazing stories, because it was here that the Inca civilization once developed.
• Suriname - the smallest state in South America, which has preserved a unique colonial style.
• Uruguay - the country is famous, first of all, thanks to its traditional carnival, which in its significance and scope is in no way inferior to the Argentinean.
• Chile the country is located in a very picturesque place, along the Pacific coast, partly in the highlands of the Andes.
• Ecuador - an equatorial country in which monuments of ancient culture and museums have been preserved.